Device for indicating results of bowling games



J. L. HUNOLD Jan. 24, 1939.

DEVICE FOR INDIGATING RESULTS OF BOWLING GAMES Filed July 21, 1937 o o0-Z7 Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE James L. Hunold,Mendham, N. 1., asslgnor to Julius Braun, ark, N. J.

Linden, and Archie Kass, New- Application July 21, 1937, Serial No.154,738

This invention relates to bowling games; and more particularly to meansfor automatically indicating the results in such games.

As is well known, in a bowling game, the frequent resetting of the pinsis a source of annoyance. Heretofore, there have been devised devicesfor automatically resetting the pins in a bowling game. However, suchdevices merely reset the pins, but in no way indicated which pins hadbeen knocked down by the bowler; and consequently when the automaticresetting device is used, considerable of the features of the bowlinggame was sacrificed.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide in combinationwith an automatic pin resetting device, means for automaticallyindicating the various pins which have been knocked down by a bowler.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a circuit closingdevice which can be effectively used for automatically indicatingresults in any kind of game or contrivance.

These and other advantageous objects, which will later appear, areaccomplished by the simple and practical construction and arrangement ofparts hereinafter described and exhibited in the accompanying drawing,forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a bowling pin with resetting device andwiring for indicating results,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification of the invention,and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of means for indicating results in abowling game.

Referring to the drawing, in Fig. 1 there is shown a bowling pin ll,resting upon a base l2, having an aperture l3 through which passes acore I! of an electromagnet I 5 attached to the underside of the baseI2. The pin II has attached to the underside thereof a metal plate Ithaving a plug ll extending up into the pin. Attached to the plug I1 is ametal wire l3 which passes over a metal pulley is, which is constantlyurged to rotate counter-clockwise by spring mechanism of the shaderoller type, or other mechanisms heretofore employed in resettingbowling pins. The pulley I9 is provided with a hub 20, which constantlyengages a contact brush 2|, connected to a relay 22.

As will be seen from the wiring diagram, an electrical circuit iscompleted through pulley l9, wire it, plug ll, core I, to the source ofpower 23. When the pin II is in position on the base l2 as shown in Fig.1, the circuit is closed and relay 22 energized to attract contact 23from engagement with contact 24, thus maintaining open a circuit throughan indicator lamp 25. When pin H is knocked down, the circuit throughrelay 22 is broken, allowing engagement of contacts 23 and 24 andclosing the circuit through indicator 25.

In Fig. 3 is shown an indicator with a plurality of lamps 21 arranged inthe same order as the pins II are arranged on the base l2, and when thelamps 21 are lighted, a player can readily determine the result of hisbowling.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modified form of the invention in which a pin 30has a wire 3| attached thereto. The pin is maintained upright by anelectromagnet 33 having a core 32 as described in connection withFig. 1. The wire 3| passes over a metal pulley 34, having a hub 35 ofinsulating material provided with a metal segment 36, engaging brushes'31, which close a circuit through an indicator lamp 38.

When the pin 30 is knocked down, contact with the core 32 is broken andthe winding mechanism in the pulley 34 will draw the pin upward. As thepulley rotates, the segment 36 will intermittently engage the brushes 31and will cause an intermittent flashing of the lamp 38.

From the above description it will be seen that there has been providedrelatively simple and effective means for closing an electrical circuitthrough lamps in order to indicate the results of a bowling game orsimilar games and contrivances. While this invention has beenspeciflcially described in connection with a bowling game provided withan automatic resetting device, it is obvious that it can be well appliedto other games without materially departing from the scope of theinvention.

The foregoing disclosure is to be regarded as descriptive andillustrative only, and not as restrictive or limitative of theinvention, of which obviously embodiments may be considered includingmany modifications without departing from the scope herein indicated anddenoted in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bowling game, a base, a bowling pin supported in uprightposition on said base, said pin having a metal plate attached to thebottom thereof, an electromagnet mounted on the underside of said baseand arranged to maintain the pin in an upright position when energized,a core for said electromagnet adapted to make an electrical connectionwith said plate, a metal pulley mounted above said pin, an electricalconducting wire attached to said plate and passing through the pin andover said pulley, a normally closed switch, a relay adapted to hold saidswitch' open, means for connecting the relay to the pulley, saidelectromagnet being connected to a source of power, said relay being incircuit with the core of the magnet and connected to a source of power,means for winding said wire on the pulley when the pin is dislodged fromthe base, and an incandescent lamp, said switch closing a circuitthrough said lamp when the relay is deenergized by the breaking of thecircuit therethrough resulting from the breaking of contact between saidplate and core.

2. In a bowling game, a base, a bowling pin supported in uprightposition on said base, said pin having a metal plate attached thereto,an electromagnet mounted'on the underside of said base and arranged tomaintain the pin in an upright position when energized, a core for saidelectromagnet adapted to make an electrical connection with said plate,a pulley mounted above said pin, an electrical conducting wire attachedto said plate and passing over said pulley, a normally closed switch, arelay adapted to hold said switch open, said electromagnet beingconnected to a source of power, said relay being in circuit with thecore of the magnet and connected to a source of power, means for windingsaid wire on the pulley when the pin is dislodged from the base, and anindicating device, said switch closing the circuit through saidindicating device when the relay is deenergized by the breaking of acircuit therethrough resulting from the breaking of contact between saidplate and core.

3. In a bowling game, a base, a bowling pin supported in uprightposition on said base, said pin having a metal plate attached to thebdttom thereof, an electromagnet mounted on the underside of said baseand arranged to maintain the pin in an upright position when energized,a core for said electromagnet adapted to make an electrical connectionwith said plate, a metal pulley mounted above said pin, an electricalconducting wire attached to said plate and passing over said pulley, anormally closed switch, a relay adapted to hold said switch open, saidpulley having a metal hub, a contact brush constantly engaging said huband connecting the relay to JAMES L. HUNOI D.

